FINA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Finance met at 11:45 a.m. this day, in Room 268, La Promenade Building, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Peggy Nash, it was agreed, — That James Rajotte be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Andrew Saxton, it was agreed, — That Peggy Nash be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Gerald Keddy, it was agreed, — That Scott Brison be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

James Rajotte took the Chair.

On motion of Randy Hoback, it was agreed, — That the routine motions adopted by the Committee in the First Session of the 41st Parliament be adopted as the routine motions of the Committee in this Session.

The motions, as adopted, read as follows:

That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, two Vice-Chairs and the two Parliamentary Secretaries.

That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, provided that one (1) is from government and one (1) is from opposition.

That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents and only when they exist in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly. That the Clerk notify all witnesses of this requirement in advance.

That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide for working meals for the Committee and its subcommittees.

That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be at the discretion of the Chair.

That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member in attendance be allowed to have one (1) staff member attend in camera meetings. In addition, each party be allowed to have one (1) staff member from its Whip or House Leader’s Office attend in camera meetings.

That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

That forty-eight hours (48) notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages. That motions received by the Clerk of the Committee by 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and 2:00 p.m. on Friday be distributed to the members the same day.

That witnesses be given five (5) to ten (10) minutes at the discretion of the Chair to make their opening statement. That a Minister be given fifteen (15) minutes for opening remarks. And, that the order of questioners be as follows:

2nd round (5 minutes)
5. New Democratic Party
6. Conservative
7. New Democratic Party
8. Conservative

3rd round (5 minutes)
9. New Democratic Party
10. Conservative
11. Conservative.

On motion of Dave Van Kesteren, it was agreed, — That consistent with the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) mandate to provide estimates of the financial cost of proposals before Parliament (as outlined in section 79.2 of the Parliament of Canada Act), that the PBO automatically always provide the Committee, within 45 calendar days of a Private Members' Business item's appearance on the Private Members' Business Order of Precedence, a detailed and comprehensive costing analysis of all such items. That costing analysis shall be a) restricted to the motion or legislation as written and b) include a detailed description of the methodology used.

On motion of Dave Van Kesteren, it was agreed, — That consistent with the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) mandate to provide independent analysis about the state of Canada’s finances and trends in the national economy (as outlined in section 79.2 of the Parliament of Canada Act), that the PBO provide an economic and fiscal outlook to the Committee the fourth week of October and April of every calendar year and be available to appear before the Committee to discuss its findings shortly thereafter.

On motion of Dave Van Kesteren, it was agreed, — That the Finance Department provide an annual update to the Finance Committee on the status of all outstanding technical tax changes in an effort to ensure regular and timely legislation as already committed by the Conservative government.

On motion of Dave Van Kesteren, it was agreed, — That the Committee, for meetings outside its regular schedule, do not consider any substantive motions.

On motion of Jay Aspin, it was agreed, — That briefs received by the Committee and related to its studies, be published on the Finance Committee website.

On motion of Peggy Nash, it was agreed, — That the Standing Committee of Finance hold Pre-Budget Consultations meetings on the following panels/topics:

1. Focusing on fiscal sustainability and economic growth.

2. Helping vulnerable Canadians, including Aboriginal Canadians, youth, persons with a disability and newcomers.

3. Supporting research and innovation, including through tax incentives.

4. Ensuring prosperous and secure rural and urban communities.

5. Improving government efficiency, including through reducing red tape.

6. Maximizing employment opportunities for Canadians.

Andrew Saxton moved, — That, in relation to Orders of Reference from the House respecting Bills,

(a) the Clerk of the Committee shall, upon the Committee receiving such an Order of Reference, write to each Member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the Committee to invite those Members to file, in a letter to the Chair of the Committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the Bill, which is the subject of the said Order, which they would suggest that the Committee consider;

(b) suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the Committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given Bill; and

(c) during the clause-by-clause consideration of a Bill, the Chair shall allow a Member who filed suggested amendments, pursuant to paragraph (a), an opportunity to make brief representations in support of them.

Debate arose thereon.

At 12:10 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:24 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The debate continued.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the debate be adjourned until Tuesday, October 29, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to sit in camera.

At 1:03 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.